Method and handheld electronic device for detecting and providing notification of a device drop

ABSTRACT

A method and handheld electronic device for detecting and providing notification of a device drop are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for providing notification of a device drop on an electronic device having a processor coupled to a memory and an accelerometer, the method comprising: receiving an input from the accelerometer; and issuing an alert when the input indicates a freefall event and at least one secondary indication of a device drop exists.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/360,153, filed Jan. 27, 2009, the content of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to device notification systems, and moreparticularly to a method and handheld electronic device for detectingand providing notification of a device drop.

BACKGROUND

Handheld electronic devices are easily lost due to their small size andthe variety of places and situations where such devices are carried andused. It is not uncommon for a device user to lose his or her devicewhen it falls out of a pocket, bag, carrying case, holster, etc. Unlessthe device user hears the device hit the ground or feels the device slipaway, the device is likely to be left where it falls. While solutionsexist which allow users to attempt locate lost devices, these solutionsare only useful after the device loss has been discovered by the user.Often significant time has past since the device has been lost and thedevice user can attempt to recover the device. This increases the chancethat the lost device will not be recovered, and inconveniences the usereven when the device can be recovered due to the lost time without thedevice, and the time and cost associated with retrieving the device orhaving the device delivered to the user.

Thus, there remains a need for improved device notification systems, andmore particularly to improved methods and handheld electronic devicesfor detecting and providing notification of a device drop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system includinga mobile communication device to which example embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be applied;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile communication device inaccordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a motion detection subsystem comprising adigital 3-axis accelerometer in accordance with one example embodimentof the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating example operations for generating analert in response to drop detection in accordance with one exampleembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is directed to a method and handheld electronicdevice adapted to reduce the likelihood of a device loss by issuing analert when the device detects conditions which indicate a loss orpotential loss of the device. This allows the device user to beautomatically notified when the device is initially lost, which is thetime at which the device is most likely to be recovered. This increasesthe chances of device recovery and decrease the inconvenience associatedwith recovering the lost device.

In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method forproviding notification of a device drop on an electronic device having aprocessor coupled to a memory and an accelerometer, the methodcomprising: receiving an input from the accelerometer; and issuing analert when the input indicates a freefall event and at least onesecondary indication of a device drop exists.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a method forproviding notification of a device drop on an electronic device having aprocessor coupled to a memory and an accelerometer, the methodcomprising: receiving an input from the accelerometer; and issuing analert when the input indicates a freefall event, the issuing includingsending an electronic communication to a designated address over awireless communication link, the electronic communication including amap of a location of the electronic device.

In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method forproviding notification of a device drop on an electronic device having aprocessor coupled to a memory and an accelerometer, the methodcomprising: receiving an input from the accelerometer; and issuing analert when the input indicates a freefall event.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present disclosure,there is provided a handheld electronic device, comprising: a controllerfor controlling the operation of the device; an accelerometer coupled tothe controller for measuring acceleration; the controller beingconfigured for causing the handheld electronic device to perform thedescribed methods.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure, thereis provided a computer program product comprising a computer readablemedium storing instructions in the form of executable program code forcausing the handheld electronic device to perform the described methods.

The embodiments described herein generally relate to handheld electronicdevices. Examples of handheld electronic devices include mobilecommunication devices such as pagers, cellular phones, GlobalPositioning System (GPS) navigation devices and other satellitenavigation devices, smart phones, wireless organizers and personaldigital assistants. The handheld electronic device may also be aportable electronic device without wireless communication capabilitiessuch as handheld electronic game devices, digital photograph albums anddigital cameras. In some embodiments, the teachings of the presentdisclosure could be applied to notebook computers such aswireless-enabled notebook computers.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates a mobile communicationdevice 201 in which example embodiments described in the presentdisclosure can be applied. The mobile communication device 201 is atwo-way communication device having at least data and possibly alsovoice communication capabilities, and the capability to communicate withother computer systems, for example, via the Internet. Depending on thefunctionality provided by the mobile communication device 201, invarious embodiments the device may be a data communication device, amultiple-mode communication device configured for both data and voicecommunication, a smartphone, a mobile telephone or a PDA (personaldigital assistant) enabled for wireless communication, or a computersystem with a wireless modem.

The mobile communication device 201 includes a rigid case (not shown)housing the components of the device 201. The internal components of thedevice 201 are constructed on a printed circuit board (PCB). The mobilecommunication device 201 includes a controller comprising at least oneprocessor 240 (such as a microprocessor) which controls the overalloperation of the device 201. The processor 240 interacts with devicesubsystems such as a communication subsystem 211 for exchanging radiofrequency signals with a wireless network 101 to perform communicationfunctions. The processor 240 interacts with additional device subsystemsincluding a display (screen) 204 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD)screen, input devices 206 such as a keyboard and control buttons, flashmemory 244, random access memory (RAM) 246, read only memory (ROM) 248,auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 250, data port 252 such asserial data port, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) data port,speaker 256, microphone 258, short-range communication subsystem 272,and other device subsystems generally designated as 274. Some of thesubsystems shown in FIG. 2 perform communication-related functions,whereas other subsystems may provide “resident” or on-device functions.

The device 201 may comprise a touchscreen display in some embodiments.The touchscreen display may be constructed using a touch-sensitive inputsurface connected to an electronic controller and which overlays thedisplay screen 204. The touch-sensitive overlay and the electroniccontroller provide a touch-sensitive input device and the processor 240interacts with the touch-sensitive overlay via the electroniccontroller.

The communication subsystem 211 includes a receiver 214, a transmitter216, and associated components, such as one or more antenna elements 218and 220, local oscillators (LOs) 222, and a processing module such as adigital signal processor (DSP) 224. The antenna elements 218 and 220 maybe embedded or internal to the mobile communication device 201 and asingle antenna may be shared by both receiver and transmitter, as isknown in the art. As will be apparent to those skilled in the field ofcommunication, the particular design of the wireless communicationsubsystem 211 depends on the wireless network 101 in which mobilecommunication device 201 is intended to operate.

The mobile communication device 201 may communicate with any one of aplurality of fixed transceiver base stations 108 of the wireless network101 within its geographic coverage area. The mobile communication device201 may send and receive communication signals over the wireless network101 after the required network registration or activation procedureshave been completed. Signals received by the antenna 218 through thewireless network 101 are input to the receiver 214, which may performsuch common receiver functions as signal amplification, frequency downconversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., as well asanalog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion of a received signalallows more complex communication functions such as demodulation anddecoding to be performed in the DSP 224. In a similar manner, signals tobe transmitted are processed, including modulation and encoding, forexample, by the DSP 224. These DSP-processed signals are input to thetransmitter 216 for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency upconversion, filtering, amplification, and transmission to the wirelessnetwork 101 via the antenna 220. The DSP 224 not only processescommunication signals, but may also provide for receiver and transmittercontrol. For example, the gains applied to communication signals in thereceiver 214 and the transmitter 216 may be adaptively controlledthrough automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP 224.

The processor 240 operates under stored program control and executessoftware modules 221 stored in memory such as persistent memory, forexample, in the flash memory 244. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the softwaremodules 221 comprise operating system software 223, softwareapplications 225 comprising a drop detection module 226. The dropdetection module 226 may, among other things, be implemented through astand-alone software application, or combined together in one or more ofthe operating system 223 and applications 225. In some exampleembodiments, the functions performed by the drop detection module 226may be realized as a plurality of independent elements, rather than asingle integrated element, and any one or more of these elements may beimplemented as parts of other software applications.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the software modules 221or parts thereof may be temporarily loaded into volatile memory such asthe RAM 246. The RAM 246 is used for storing runtime data variables andother types of data or information, as will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Although specific functions are described for various typesof memory, this is merely one example, and those skilled in the art willappreciate that a different assignment of functions to types of memorycould also be used.

The software applications 225 may include a range of applications,including, for example, an address book application, a messagingapplication, a calendar application, and/or a notepad application. Insome embodiments, the software applications 225 include an email messageapplication, a push content viewing application, a voice communication(i.e. telephony) application, a map application, and a media playerapplication. Each of the software applications 225 may include layoutinformation defining the placement of particular fields and graphicelements (e.g. text fields, input fields, icons, etc.) in the userinterface (i.e. the display screen 204) according to the application.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 250 maycomprise an external communication link or interface, for example, anEthernet connection. The mobile communication device 201 may compriseother wireless communication interfaces for communicating with othertypes of wireless networks, for example, a wireless network such as anorthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) network or a GPStransceiver for communicating with a GPS satellite network (not shown).The auxiliary I/O subsystems 250 may comprise a navigational tool suchas a clickable trackball or thumbwheel, a digital camera, or a vibratorfor providing vibratory notifications in response to various events onthe device 201 such as receipt of an electronic communication orincoming phone call, or for other purposes such as haptic feedback(touch feedback).

In some embodiments, the mobile communication device 201 also includes aremovable memory card 230 (typically comprising flash memory) and amemory card interface 232. Network access typically associated with asubscriber or user of the mobile communication device 201 via the memorycard 230, which may be a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card for usein a GSM network or other type of memory card for use in the relevantwireless network type. The memory card 230 is inserted in or connectedto the memory card interface 232 of the mobile communication device 201in order to operate in conjunction with the wireless network 101.

The mobile communication device 201 stores data 227 in an erasablepersistent memory, which in one example embodiment is the flash memory244. In various embodiments, the data 227 includes service datacomprising information required by the mobile communication device 201to establish and maintain communication with the wireless network 101.The data 227 may also include user application data such as emailmessages, address book and contact information, calendar and scheduleinformation, notepad documents, image files, and other commonly storeduser information stored on the mobile communication device 201 by itsuser, and other data. The data 227 stored in the persistent memory (e.g.flash memory 244) of the mobile communication device 201 may beorganized, at least partially, into a number of databases eachcontaining data items of the same data type or associated with the sameapplication. For example, email messages, contact records, and taskitems may be stored in individual databases within the device memory.

The serial data port 252 may be used for synchronization with a user'shost computer system (not shown). The serial data port 252 enables auser to set preferences through an external device or softwareapplication and extends the capabilities of the mobile communicationdevice 201 by providing for information or software downloads to themobile communication device 201 other than through the wireless network101. The alternate download path may, for example, be used to load anencryption key onto the mobile communication device 201 through adirect, reliable and trusted connection to thereby provide secure devicecommunication.

In some embodiments, the mobile communication device 201 is providedwith a service routing application programming interface (API) whichprovides an application with the ability to route traffic through aserial data (i.e., USB) or Bluetooth® (Bluetooth® is a registeredtrademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.) connection to the host computer systemusing standard connectivity protocols. When a user connects their mobilecommunication device 201 to the host computer system via a USB cable orBluetooth® connection, traffic that was destined for the wirelessnetwork 101 is automatically routed to the mobile communication device201 using the USB cable or Bluetooth® connection. Similarly, any trafficdestined for the wireless network 101 is automatically sent over the USBcable Bluetooth® connection to the host computer system for processing.

The mobile communication device 201 also includes a battery 238 as apower source, which is typically one or more rechargeable batteries thatmay be charged, for example, through charging circuitry coupled to abattery interface such as the serial data port 252. The battery 238provides electrical power to at least some of the electrical circuitryin the mobile communication device 201, and the battery interface 236provides a mechanical and electrical connection for the battery 238. Thebattery interface 236 is coupled to a regulator (not shown) whichprovides power V+ to the circuitry of the mobile communication device201.

The short-range communication subsystem 272 is an additional optionalcomponent which provides for communication between the mobilecommunication device 201 and different systems or devices, which neednot necessarily be similar devices. For example, the subsystem 272 mayinclude an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or awireless bus protocol compliant communication mechanism such as aBluetooth® communication module to provide for communication withsimilarly-enabled systems and devices.

A predetermined set of applications that control basic deviceoperations, including data and possibly voice communication applicationswill normally be installed on the mobile communication device 201 duringor after manufacture. Additional applications and/or upgrades to theoperating system 223 or software applications 225 may also be loadedonto the mobile communication device 201 through the wireless network101, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 250, the serial port 252, theshort-range communication subsystem 272, or other suitable subsystems274 or wireless communication interfaces. The downloaded programs orcode modules may be permanently installed, for example, written into theprogram memory (i.e. the flash memory 244), or written into and executedfrom the RAM 246 for execution by the processor 240 at runtime. Suchflexibility in application installation increases the functionality ofthe mobile communication device 201 and may provide enhanced on-devicefunctions, communication-related functions, or both. For example, securecommunication applications may enable electronic commerce functions andother such financial transactions to be performed using the mobilecommunication device 201.

The mobile communication device 201 may provide two principal modes ofcommunication: a data communication mode and an optional voicecommunication mode. In the data communication mode, a received datasignal such as a text message, an email message, or Web page downloadwill be processed by the communication subsystem 211 and input to theprocessor 240 for further processing. For example, a downloaded Web pagemay be further processed by a browser application or an email messagemay be processed by an email message application and output to thedisplay 242. A user of the mobile communication device 201 may alsocompose data items, such as email messages, for example, using the inputdevices in conjunction with the display screen 204. These composed itemsmay be transmitted through the communication subsystem 211 over thewireless network 101.

In the voice communication mode, the mobile communication device 201provides telephony functions and operates as a typical cellular phone.The overall operation is similar, except that the received signals wouldbe output to the speaker 256 and signals for transmission would begenerated by a transducer such as the microphone 258. The telephonyfunctions are provided by a combination of software/firmware (i.e., thevoice communication module) and hardware (i.e., the microphone 258, thespeaker 256 and input devices). Alternative voice or audio I/Osubsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also beimplemented on the mobile communication device 201. Although voice oraudio signal output is typically accomplished primarily through thespeaker 256, the display screen 204 may also be used to provide anindication of the identity of a calling party, duration of a voice call,or other voice call related information.

The mobile communication device 201 also comprises a motion detectionsubsystem 249 comprising at least one motion sensor which is connectedto the processor 240 and which is controlled by one or a combination ofa monitoring circuit and operating software. The motion detectionsubsystem 249 may comprise two or more motion sensors or a motion sensorand an electronic compass. The motion detection subsystem 249 detectsthe motion of the mobile communication device 201 or detects informationwhich the motion of the mobile communication device 201 can bedetermined, such as acceleration using an accelerometer. In otherembodiments, a motion sensor other than an accelerometer could be used.

As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, an accelerometeris a sensor which converts acceleration from motion (e.g. movement ofthe mobile communication device 201 or a portion thereof due to thestrike force) and gravity which are detected by a sensing element intoan electrical signal (producing a corresponding change in output) and isavailable in one, two or three axis configurations. Accelerometers mayproduce digital or analog output signals depending on the type ofaccelerometer. Generally, two types of outputs are available dependingon whether an analog or digital accelerometer used: (1) an analog outputrequiring buffering and analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion; and (2) adigital output which is typically available in an industry standardinterface such as an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or I2C(Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface. The output of an accelerometer istypically measured in terms of the gravitational acceleration constantat the Earth's surface, denoted g, which is approximately 9.81 m/s²(32.2 ft/s²) as the standard average. The accelerometer may be of almostany type including, but not limited to, a capacitive, piezoelectric,piezoresistive, or gas-based accelerometer. The range of accelerometersvary up to the thousands of g's, however for portable electronic devices“low-g” accelerometers may be used. Example low-g accelerometers whichmay be used are MEMS digital accelerometers from Analog Devices, Inc.(ADI), Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (Freescale) and STMicroelectronicsN.V. of Geneva, Switzerland.

Referring briefly to FIG. 3, a motion detection subsystem 249 inaccordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed. The circuit 300 comprises a digital 3-axis accelerometer 310connected to the interrupt and serial interface of a controller (MCU)312. The controller 312 could be the processor 240 of the device 201.The operation of the controller 312 is controlled by software, which maybe stored in internal memory of the controller 312. The operationalsettings of the accelerometer 310 are controlled by the controller 312using control signals sent from the controller 312 to the accelerometer310 via the serial interface. The controller 312 may determine themotion detection in accordance with the acceleration measured by theaccelerometer 310, or raw acceleration data measured by theaccelerometer 310 may be sent to the processor 240 of the device 201 viaits serial interface where motion detection is determined by theoperating system 223, or other software module 221. In otherembodiments, a different digital accelerometer configuration could beused, or a suitable analog accelerometer and control circuit could beused.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a method of detecting and providingnotification of a device drop in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure will be described. FIG. 4 illustrates exampleoperations 400 for performing the method. In this example embodiment,the operations 400 are carried out by the processor 240 of the handheldelectronic device 102 under the instruction of the drop detection module226. The drop detection module 226 is a separate module 221 in thedescribed embodiment, but in other embodiments may be part of theoperating system 223 rather than a particular application 225 so that itcan operate irrespective of any active application 225 on the device201.

In the first step 402, the drop detection module 226 monitors for anddetects freefall events. In some embodiments, this comprises monitoringthe output of the three-axis accelerometer 310 and detecting an outputsignal indicating freefall. Freefall may be indicated by an outputsignal which represents a zero acceleration reading (relative togravity) from each sensing axis of the accelerometer 310. It will beappreciated that any time there is no external force other than gravityacting on the device 201, for example when the device 201 is fallingafter being dropped, the accelerometer 310 will report zero accelerationin each of its three sensing axes.

In some embodiments, the accelerometer 310 reports three voltage signalscorresponding to the acceleration detected along each sensing axis tothe drop detection module 226. The drop detection module 226 monitorsthe output of the accelerometer 310 for a condition where each signalhas a voltage within a predetermined threshold of a zero accelerationreading. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, theaccelerometer 310 is configured to output a voltage signal whichrepresents the detected acceleration. Accelerometers measure positiveand negative acceleration, often measured in terms of a ±“g” scale. Thevoltage output of the accelerometer 310 is scaled in accordance with its“g” scale or other acceleration measurement scale. A zero accelerationreading corresponds to an output signal having a voltage associated witha 0 g or “no acceleration” reading.

In other embodiments, the accelerometer 310 reports a single multiplexedsignal corresponding to the acceleration detected along each sensingaxis. The multiplexing may be performed by the accelerometer 310 or theprocessor 240 in accordance with the instructions of the operatingsystem 223 or drop detection module 226.

In yet other embodiments, the accelerometer 310 under the instruction ofits onboard software reports a freefall signal to the drop detectionmodule 226 when the acceleration detected by all three sensing axes iswithin a predetermined threshold of zero acceleration. The dropdetection module 226 may monitor and detect for the freefall signal, theraw output signals from the accelerometer 310, or both.

To avoid spurious device drop events, in at least some embodiments thedrop detection module 226 or the accelerometer 310 must detectedacceleration within a predetermined threshold of zero acceleration for apredetermined duration of time. The predetermined duration of time istypically in the order of a few milliseconds. The predetermined durationof time may be selected to represent a freefall and to exclude togestures or other movements of the device 201 which results in zeroacceleration. In some embodiments, the predetermined duration of timemay also be selected to represent a freefall of more than a few inchesto exclude shorter drops which may indicate that the device 201 was notdropped or was not dropped in a manner which is likely to lead of adevice loss (e.g., the device drop was intention).

Next, in step 404 the drop detection module 226 determines whether asecondary indication of a device drop exists. A freefall event may occuras a result of events which are not likely to lead to loss of the device201. For example, a user might carry the device 201 in a bag, purse orcoat, and drop the object carrying the device 201 intentionally. Thiswould likely result in a freefall event being detected. Reporting adevice drop event in such circumstances would result in unneeded devicedrop notifications. Limiting the reporting of device drop events whichoccur in combination with a secondary indication of a device drop limitsdevice drop reporting to situations in which the device 201 has beendropped in a manner more likely to lead to a device loss.

In some embodiments, the secondary indication of a device drop is theoccurrence of an out-of-holster event. An out-of-holster event occurswhen removal of the device 201 from its carrying case or holster isdetected. The device 201 uses holster-detection means to detect whetherit is in a carrying case or holster. The terms “carrying case” and“holster” are used interchangeably in the present disclosure areintended to cover all enclosures for protecting and/or carrying thedevice 201. The holster-detection means may be implemented using any oneor more of a number of different mechanisms. In some embodiments, theholster-detection means may comprise a mechanical sensor such as adepressible button on the surface of the device 201 which is adapted todepress only when the device 201 is held within a specifically-shapedholster. In other embodiments, the holster-detection means may comprisean electrical sensor such as an electrical contact on the surface of thedevice 201 which is adapted to close an electrical circuit when incontact with another electrical contact on the interior of aspecially-designed holster. In other embodiments, the holster-detectionmeans may comprise a magnetically-sensitive sensor as part of the device201 which is adapted to detect the proximity of a magnet built into aspecially-designed holster. Further details of an example implementationof holster-proximity detection means can be found in commonly owned U.S.Patent Application Pub. No. 2008/0191892 A1, published Aug. 14, 2008,which is incorporated herein by reference.

Using the out-of-holster event as a secondary indication of a devicedrop, the drop detection module 226 reports a device drop event to theoperating system 223 when an out-of-holster even has been detected. Thisexcludes from reporting circumstances in which the device 201 is storedin its carrying case or holster inside a bag, purse or coat pocket whichis dropped to the floor intentionally: in these cases, it is unlikelythat the user is not aware of the drop and so it need not be reported.Instead, the only events reported by the drop detection module 226 arethose where the device 201 has fallen while out of its carrying case orholster, possibly as a result of falling out of the carrying case orholster.

In some embodiments, a freefall event may have to be detected more thana predetermined duration from the time an out-of-holster event isdetected. This condition may exclude device drop events from beingreported when the user drops the device 201 while removing it from theholster. Because the user is likely to be aware of the device drop insuch cases, reporting a device drop event in these circumstances wouldresult in undesired reporting of device drop events.

In other embodiments, the secondary indication of a device drop may beclosing of the device 201 when the device is a flip-style device orslider-style device. When in the device 201 is closed, it is not in useand therefore a device drop is more likely to result in a loss of thedevice 201.

In other embodiments, the secondary indication of a device drop may be alack of activity of the device 201 for a predetermined duration.Activity of the device 201 may be determined by activity of the inputdevices 206, selected types of communication with the wireless network101 (e.g., sending a message or an ongoing voice call), or both. Becausethe user is likely to be aware of the device drop when in use, reportinga device drop in these circumstances would result in undesired reportingof device drop events.

In other embodiments, the secondary indication of a device drop may be aspike in the magnitude (e.g., an increase of at least a predeterminedmagnitude) of the acceleration detected by the accelerometer 310 withina predetermined duration of the freefall event. A spike in the magnitudeof the detected acceleration may indicate the impact of the device 201.When the device 201 hits the ground or other surface at the end of itsfall, this results in a rapid change in acceleration from zero toapproximately 9.81 m/s². The detection of an acceleration or change inacceleration which is greater than or equal to a predetermined thresholdwithin a predetermined duration of the freefall event may be used tolimit device drop reporting in some embodiments. The predeterminedthreshold in such embodiments represents a device impact and may becalibrated to represent an acceleration or change in acceleration whichis likely to represent an impact resulting from a device drop.

In other embodiments, the secondary indication of a device drop mayutilize a camera (not shown) of the device 201. Upon detecting afreefall by the accelerometer 310, the camera is activated to take aseries of digital images/pictures (e.g. snap shots) of the deviceenvironment while the accelerometer 310 detects a freefall. The seriesof pictures are then analyzed using digital image recognition and/orother digital image analysis techniques to determine whether the imagesin the series change in a manner which matches one or more predeterminedcharacteristics associated with the device 201 being in freefall. Inrelatively simple embodiment, a histogram or average pixel value of eachimage in the series could be determined by an imaging application on thedevice 201 and then compared. Alternatively, the first and last imagesin the series or other subset of images in the series could be analyzedand compared. The change in a reference value of the images which occursover the series of images (or between the first and last images of theseries or subset) is then compared to a predetermined thresholdassociated with the device 201 being in freefall. If the reference valuefor comparison is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold,the device 201 is determined to be in freefall. If the reference valueis less than the predetermined threshold, the device 201 is determinednot to be in freefall.

Detected changes in device environment could be due to changes in apattern of flooring resulting from a device drop, such as the pattern offloor tiles increasing in size over the series of pictures, or due to anobject such as a picture frame on a wall moving upwardly over the seriesof pictures. In contrast, little or no change may be detected when thedevice 201 is in its holster, a pocket, a purse or gym bag. Thesecondary indication provided by the camera may provide more accurateconfirmatory device drop detection than other secondary indications suchas out-of-holster events in some circumstances. In addition, because thecamera is only triggered after the accelerometer 310 detects a freefall,minimal battery power would be consumed.

The drop detection module 226 may determine whether other secondaryindications of a device drop exist in addition to, or instead of, anout-of-holster event.

Next, in step 406 the drop detection module 226 determines if a freefallevent has been detected when a secondary indication of a device dropexists (e.g., when the device 201 is out of its holster) or within apredetermined duration of a secondary indication of a device drop. Whenthis occurs, the drop detection module 226 reports a device drop eventto the operating system 223 by sending a device drop notification. Whenno secondary indication of a device drop exists (e.g., the device 201was in its holster), the operations 400 end.

It will be appreciated that steps 404 and 406 are optional. In otherembodiments, the drop detection module 226 reports a device drop eventto the operating system 223 when a freefall event is detected withoutconsidering any secondary indications of a device drop.

Next, in step 408 in response to receiving a device drop notificationfrom the drop detection module 226, the operating system 223 issues analert. The type and content of the alert may vary between differentembodiments. The alert may comprise one or any combination of a visual,audio and physical indication. The physical indication may be avibration generated by a buzzer or vibrator of the device 201. Thevisual indication may be generated by the display screen 204, alight-emitting diode (LED), or both. The audio indication may begenerated by the speaker 256, a tone generator, or both. In someembodiments, the user may create a personalized audio recording orsynthesized voice recoding to serve as the audio indication.

The operating system 223 may also initiate a lost device mode whichcould be used to determine when to stop issuing alerts when periodic orrepeating alerts are issued by the device 201. The lost device modecould also be used in combination with security measures, as describedbelow. In initiating the lost device mode, the device 201 may change alost device setting or flag on the device 201 to true. When the device201 is recovered and it is not in a locked mode, the movement of thedevice 201 and/or activity via the input devices 206 provides anindication that the device 201 is recovered and the lost device settingis changed to false, thereby terminating the lost device mode. When thedevice 201 is recovered and it is in a locked mode, the device user mustenter a predetermined password via the input devices 206 to unlock thedevice 201. After unlocking, the lost device setting is changed tofalse.

In some embodiments, initiating the lost device mode automaticallyinitiates the locked mode. In other embodiments, initiating the lostdevice mode may change the duration of a countdown timer for initiatingthe locked mode from an initial value to a second, shorter value. Aswill be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the countdown timermay be triggered by one or more of a number of trigger conditionsincluding: inactivity for a predetermined duration (for example, asmeasured by a lack of input via the input devices 206), loss ofcommunication with the wireless network 101, holstering of the device201 if the device is holsterable, or closing of the device 201 if thedevice is a flip-style device or slider-style device. When in the lockedmode, the functionality of the device 201 is restricted. In the lockedmode, accepted user input may be substantially limited to answeringincoming calls and the entry of the predetermined password to unlock thedevice 201, typically in response to a prompt by the device.

An audio alert may be issued via the device speaker 256. The audio alertcould be a single sound or a repeating sound. The sound emitted by thedevice speaker 256 during an audio alert could be a ringtone, “beep” ortone, or a special device drop sound such as a special high-volume alertsound. In some embodiments, the audio alert may be periodic or repeatingand increase in frequency and/or volume over time. In some embodiments,the device 201 may be configured to ignore the normal audio bypass ofthe speaker 256 when headphones or another earpiece is connected toissue the audio alert directly from the speaker 256 even when headphonesare connected. The audio alert should be issued at a volume sufficientfor the device user to hear from a short distance. This allows thedevice user to hear the audio alert upon a device drop or shortlythereafter. Vibrations of a vibrator or buzzer may also create noisewhich may alert the device user of a device drop.

A visual alert may comprise the activation (e.g., turning on) of thedisplay screen 204. If the display screen 204 is an LCD screen or otherdisplay screen which comprises a backlight, the backlight may beactivated/turned on. The display screen 204 may be activated at a highbrightness to increase the likelihood of being seen by the device user.In some embodiments, the image displayed on the display screen 204 maybe selected to increase the brightness created by turning on or“flashing” the display screen 204. The visual alert may be useful inlocating a lost device at night or in a dark environment. In someembodiments, the display screen 204 may be turned on and off rapidly tocreate a flashing effect. In some embodiments, the visual alert maycomprise a pattern of time-varying visual effects on the display screen204, such as alternating low- and high-brightness visual patterns, whichcould be presented in a flashing or blinking sequence. In otherembodiments, the visual alert may also comprise text and/or graphicsproviding a message notifying the device user that the device has beendropped and/or that the device may have been damaged. In someembodiments, an LED or other notification light of the device 201 may beactivated or flashed instead of, or in addition to, the display screen204.

The alert may also comprise sending an electronic communication via awireless communication link. The wireless communication link maycomprise the communications subsystem 211, the short-range wirelesscommunication subsystem 272, or both. The electronic communication maybe sent in addition to, or instead of, a visual, audio or physicalindication. The communication may be an email message, text message(e.g., Short Message Service (SMS) message), Multimedia MessagingService (MMS) message, instant messaging (IM) message, voice message(e.g., a device lost message which may be pre-recorded or generated viatext-to-speech synthesis based on, for example, the device location asdescribed below), or other electronic communication. The communicationis sent from the device 201 to one or more recipients via the wirelessnetwork 101. More than one type of communication may be sent in someembodiments.

The communication may be sent to one or more designated addresses,depending on the type of communication. For example, in someembodiments, when an email message is sent, one or more secondary emailaddresses may be designated to receive the communication rather than theprimary email address assigned to the device 201, for example, by thewireless carrier. The secondary email addresses may include the addressfor the device user's home email account when the device 201 belongs tothe user's employer, and include the address for device user's workemail account when the device 201 is the user's personal device. Thesecondary email addresses may include the email address for an ITadministrator, for example, of the user's employer when the device 201is a work device. Because the email account(s) associated with thedevice 201 may be accessible via other means, for example from thedevice user's home and/or work computer, the communication could be sentto the primary email address of the device 201 in addition to thesecondary email address. The address could also be telephone numbers forSMS, MMS, or voice messages, or uniform resource locators (URLs) forother electronic communications, such as Session Initiation Protocol(SIP) or Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communications.

Depending on the type of electronic communication, in some embodimentsthe electronic communication may comprise text, graphics, digitalimage(s), voice data, or any combination thereof. In embodiments inwhich the device 201 includes a GPS subsystem capable of determining thelocation of the device 201, the device location may be determined andincluded as part of the electronic communication. The location may be interms of a street address, GPS coordinates, or both. In someembodiments, a map of the device location may be generated using amapping application on device 201 and included in the electroniccommunication as an embedded object or an attachment to the electroniccommunication. The map may be included addition to, or instead of thelocation. Rather than using a GPS subsystem, the device location mayalternatively be determined using triangulation based on the distance tothe various base stations 108 in the wireless network 101.Triangulation-based device location may be added to the electroniccommunication by the device 201 if this information is known to it, or acomponent of the wireless network 101 or the wireless connector system120 after the electronic communication is sent by the device 201.

In some embodiments, the device location and/or map of the devicelocation may be periodically determined and included in electroniccommunications periodically sent by the device 201, for example, whenthe device 201 is in the lost device mode. This periodic reportingprovides a device location record for tracking purposes. Locationinformation may be sent to the IT administrator and thereafter posted ona corresponding website for access by the device user for easierrecovery.

In some embodiments, the device 201 may include a camera (not shown)which may be used to take a digital image. The digital image is thenincluded in the electronic communication as an embedded object or anattachment to the electronic communication. The digital image may beincluded instead of, or in addition to, the device location and/or amap. The digital image may be useful for the device user in determiningthe device location as it may depict the surroundings of the device 201.The digital image may be particularly useful when the device 201 is inan indoor environment in which the GPS subsystem and/or communicationsubsystem 211 may be unable to determine device location. In someembodiments, digital images may be taken periodically and included inelectronic communications periodically sent by the device 201, forexample, when the device 201 is in lost device mode. This periodicreporting provides a visual record of the device surroundings.

The device 201 may be configured to issue more than one type of alert,possibly at different times. In some embodiments, the device 201 may beconfigured to issue a local alert comprising one or any combination of avisual, audio and physical indication in response to receiving a devicedrop notification from the drop detection module 226. After issuing thelocal alert, the operating system 223 then monitors the output of theaccelerometer 310 for any output which indicates movement of the device201. If the output of the accelerometer 310 does not indicate movementof the device 201 within a predetermined duration (e.g., 5, 10 or 15minutes) from the device drop notification, the device 201 will send anelectronic communication as described above. In these embodiments,movement of the device 201 is interpreted as the device user picking upthe device 201 and, therefore, as recovery of the device 201.Conversely, the lack of movement of the device 201 is interpreted as thedevice 201 remaining in a lost or potentially lost state.

In some embodiments, periodic or repeating alerts, including visual,audio and physical indications and sending of electronic communications,have a fixed duration to preserve the life of the battery 238 whichwould otherwise be quickly drained if periodic or repeating alerts wereissued indefinitely.

The GUI of the device 201 may allow the type of alerts to be issued andthe alert parameters to be set by the device user. Examples of some ofthe configurable alert parameters will now be described. These examplesare intended to be non-limiting. In terms of audio alerts, the type ofaudio alert, its volume, frequency and/or duration may be configurable.In terms of visual alerts, the type of visual alert, its brightness,frequency and/or duration may be configurable. In terms of physicalalerts, the type of vibration or other physical alert, its frequencyand/or duration may be configurable. In terms of electroniccommunications, the type, content and address of the electroniccommunication may be configurable.

Next, in optional step 410 security measures may be automaticallyperformed when the device 201 has not been recovered within apredetermined duration (e.g., a day or more) of the device dropnotification. The security measures may comprise initiating a lockedmode on the device 201 when one has not already been initiated. Thesecurity measures may comprise performing a data security action inaddition to, or instead of, initiating a locked mode on the device 201.The data security action may comprise erasing all or selected data fromthe memory 244 of the device 201. In some embodiments, user data may beerased while maintaining the operating system 223, applications 225,drop detection module 226 and service data. As will be appreciated bypersons skilled in the art, service data comprises the data required bythe device 201 to establish and maintain communication with the wirelessnetwork 101 (wireless network service data) and the wireless gateway 110(gateway service data), such as service books, encryption keys, ITpolicy data and other identifying information required for wirelesscommunication. In other embodiments, both user data and service data maybe erased while maintaining the operating system 223, applications 225and drop detection module 226. In other embodiments, the data securityaction may comprise encrypting user data and/or service data whilemaintaining the operating system 223, applications 225 and dropdetection module 226 in unencrypted form.

While a three-axis accelerometer has been described in the foregoingdescription, an accelerometer having fewer sensing axes could be used inother embodiments.

While the operations 400 have been described as occurring in aparticular order, it will be appreciated to persons skilled in the artthat some of the steps may be performed in a different order providedthat the result of the changed order of any given step will not preventor impair the occurrence of subsequent steps. Furthermore, some of thesteps described above may be combined in other embodiments, and some ofthe steps described above may be separated into a number of sub-steps inother embodiments.

Example Wireless Communication System

In order to facilitate an understanding of one possible environment inwhich example embodiments described herein can operate, reference ismade to FIG. 1 which shows in block diagram form a communication system100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can beapplied. The communication system 100 comprises a number of mobilecommunication devices 201 which may be connected to the remainder ofsystem 100 in any of several different ways. Accordingly, severalinstances of mobile communication devices 201 are depicted in FIG. 1employing different example ways of connecting to system 100. Mobilecommunication devices 201 are connected to a wireless network 101 whichmay comprise one or more of a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) 201 anda Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) 104 or other suitable networkarrangements. In some embodiments, the mobile communication devices 201are configured to communicate over both the WWAN 201 and WLAN 104, andto roam between these networks. In some embodiments, the wirelessnetwork 101 may comprise multiple WWANs 201 and WLANs 104.

The WWAN 201 may be implemented as any suitable wireless access networktechnology. By way of example, but not limitation, the WWAN 201 may beimplemented as a wireless network that includes a number of transceiverbase stations 108 (one of which is shown in FIG. 1) where each of thebase stations 108 provides wireless Radio Frequency (RF) coverage to acorresponding area or cell. The WWAN 201 is typically operated by amobile network service provider that provides subscription packages tousers of the mobile communication devices 201. In some embodiments, theWWAN 201 conforms to one or more of the following wireless networktypes: Mobitex Radio Network, DataTAC, GSM (Global System for MobileCommunication), GPRS (General Packet Radio System), TDMA (Time DivisionMultiple Access), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), CDPD (CellularDigital Packet Data), iDEN (integrated Digital Enhanced Network), EvDO(Evolution-Data Optimized) CDMA2000, EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSMEvolution), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems), HSPDA(High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), IEEE 802.16e (also referred to asWorldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or “WiMAX), or variousother networks. Although WWAN 201 is described as a “Wide-Area” network,that term is intended herein also to incorporate wireless MetropolitanArea Networks (WMAN) and other similar technologies for providingcoordinated service wirelessly over an area larger than that covered bytypical WLANs.

The WWAN 201 may further comprise a wireless network gateway 110 whichconnects the mobile communication devices 201 to transport facilities112, and through the transport facilities 112 to a wireless connectorsystem 120. Transport facilities may include one or more privatenetworks or lines, the public Internet, a virtual private network, orany other suitable network. The wireless connector system 120 may beoperated, for example, by an organization or enterprise such as acorporation, university, or governmental department, which allows accessto a network 124 such as an internal or enterprise network and itsresources, or the wireless connector system 120 may be operated by amobile network provider. In some embodiments, the network 124 may berealised using the Internet rather than an internal or enterprisenetwork.

The wireless network gateway 110 provides an interface between thewireless connector system 120 and the WWAN 201, which facilitatescommunication between the mobile communication devices 201 and otherdevices (not shown) connected, directly or indirectly, to the WWAN 201.Accordingly, communications sent via the mobile communication devices201 are transported via the WWAN 201 and the wireless network gateway110 through transport facilities 112 to the wireless connector system120. Communications sent from the wireless connector system 120 arereceived by the wireless network gateway 110 and transported via theWWAN 201 to the mobile communication devices 201.

The WLAN 104 comprises a wireless network which, in some embodiments,conforms to IEEE 802.11x standards (sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi) suchas, for example, the IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and/or 802.11g standard.Other communication protocols may be used for the WLAN 104 in otherembodiments such as, for example, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.16e (alsoreferred to as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or“WiMAX”), or IEEE 802.20 (also referred to as Mobile Wireless BroadbandAccess). The WLAN 104 includes one or more wireless RF Access Points(AP) 114 (one of which is shown in FIG. 1) that collectively provide aWLAN coverage area.

The WLAN 104 comprises a wireless network which, in some embodiments,conforms to IEEE 802.11x standards (sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi) suchas, for example, the IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and/or 802.11g standard.Other communication protocols may be used for the WLAN 104 in otherembodiments such as, for example, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.16e (alsoreferred to as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or“WiMAX”), or IEEE 802.20 (also referred to as Mobile Wireless BroadbandAccess). The WLAN 104 includes one or more wireless RF Access Points(AP) 114 (one of which is shown in FIG. 1) that collectively provide aWLAN coverage area.

The WLAN 104 may be a personal network of the user, an enterprisenetwork, or a hotspot offered by an Internet service provider (ISP), amobile network provider, or a property owner in a public or semi-publicarea, for example. The access points 114 are connected to an accesspoint (AP) interface 116 which may connect to the wireless connectorsystem 120 directly (for example, if the access point 114 is part of anenterprise WLAN 104 in which the wireless connector system 120 resides),or indirectly as indicated by the dashed line if FIG. 1 via thetransport facilities 112 if the access point 14 is a personal Wi-Finetwork or Wi-Fi hotspot (in which case a mechanism for securelyconnecting to the wireless connector system 120, such as a virtualprivate network (VPN), may be required). The AP interface 116 providestranslation and routing services between the access points 114 and thewireless connector system 120 to facilitate communication, directly orindirectly, with the wireless connector system 120.

The wireless connector system 120 may be implemented as one or moreservers, and is typically located behind a firewall 113. The wirelessconnector system 120 manages communications, including emailcommunications, to and from a set of managed mobile communicationdevices 201. The wireless connector system 120 also providesadministrative control and management capabilities over users and mobilecommunication devices 201 which may connect to the wireless connectorsystem 120.

The wireless connector system 120 allows the mobile communicationdevices 201 to access the network 124 and connected resources andservices such as a messaging server 132 (for example, a MicrosoftExchange™, IBM Lotus Domino™, or Novell GroupWise™ email server), and acontent server 134 for providing content such as Internet content orcontent from an organization's internal servers, and application servers136 for implementing server-based applications such as instant messaging(IM) applications to mobile communication devices 201.

The wireless connector system 120 typically provides a secure exchangeof data (e.g., email messages, personal information manager (PIM) data,and IM data) with the mobile communication devices 201. In someembodiments, communications between the wireless connector system 120and the mobile communication devices 201 are encrypted. In someembodiments, communications are encrypted using a symmetric encryptionkey implemented using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Triple DataEncryption Standard (Triple DES) encryption. Private encryption keys aregenerated in a secure, two-way authenticated environment and are usedfor both encryption and decryption of data. In some embodiments, theprivate encryption key is stored only in the user's mailbox on themessaging server 132 and on the mobile communication device 201, and cantypically be regenerated by the user on mobile communication devices201. Data sent to the mobile communication devices 201 is encrypted bythe wireless connector system 120 using the private encryption keyretrieved from the user's mailbox. The encrypted data, when received onthe mobile communication devices 201, is decrypted using the privateencryption key stored in memory. Similarly, data sent to the wirelessconnector system 120 from the mobile communication devices 201 isencrypted using the private encryption key stored in the memory of themobile communication device 201. The encrypted data, when received onthe wireless connector system 120, is decrypted using the privateencryption key retrieved from the user's mailbox.

The wireless network gateway 110 is adapted to send data packetsreceived from the mobile communication device 201 over the WWAN 201 tothe wireless connector system 120. The wireless connector system 120then sends the data packets to the appropriate connection point such asthe messaging server 132, content server 134 or application servers 136.Conversely, the wireless connector system 120 sends data packetsreceived, for example, from the messaging server 132, content server 134or application servers 136 to the wireless network gateway 110 whichthen transmit the data packets to the destination mobile communicationdevice 201. The AP interfaces 116 of the WLAN 104 provide similarsending functions between the mobile communication device 201, thewireless connector system 120 and network connection point such as themessaging server 132, content server 134 and application server 136.

The network 124 may comprise a private local area network, metropolitanarea network, wide area network, the public Internet or combinationsthereof and may include virtual networks constructed using any of these,alone, or in combination.

A mobile communication device 201 may alternatively connect to thewireless connector system 120 using a computer 117, such as desktop ornotebook computer, via the network 124. A link 106 may be provided forexchanging information between the mobile communication device 201 andcomputer 117 connected to the wireless connector system 120. The link106 may comprise one or both of a physical interface and short-rangewireless communication interface. The physical interface may compriseone or combinations of an Ethernet connection, Universal Serial Bus(USB) connection, Firewire™ (also known as an IEEE 1394 interface)connection, or other serial data connection, via respective ports orinterfaces of the mobile communication device 201 and computer 117. Theshort-range wireless communication interface may be a personal areanetwork (PAN) interface. A personal area network is a wirelesspoint-to-point connection meaning no physical cables are required toconnect the two end points. The short-range wireless communicationinterface may comprise one or a combination of an infrared (IR)connection such as an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) connection, ashort-range radio frequency (RF) connection such as one specified byIEEE 802.15.1 or the Bluetooth™ special interest group, or IEEE802.15.3a, also referred to as UltraWideband (UWB), or other PANconnection.

It will be appreciated that the above-described communication system isprovided for the purpose of illustration only, and that theabove-described communication system comprises one possiblecommunication network configuration of a multitude of possibleconfigurations for use with the mobile communication devices 201. Theteachings of the present disclosure may be employed in connection withany other type of network and associated devices that are effective inimplementing or facilitating wireless communication. Suitable variationsof the communication system will be understood to a person of skill inthe art and are intended to fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

While the present disclosure is primarily described in terms of methods,a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the presentdisclosure is also directed to various apparatus such as a handheldelectronic device including components for performing at least some ofthe aspects and features of the described methods, be it by way ofhardware components, software or any combination of the two, or in anyother manner. Moreover, an article of manufacture for use with theapparatus, such as a pre-recorded storage device or other similarcomputer readable medium including program instructions recordedthereon, or a computer data signal carrying computer readable programinstructions may direct an apparatus to facilitate the practice of thedescribed methods. It is understood that such apparatus, articles ofmanufacture, and computer data signals also come within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

The term “computer readable medium” as used herein means any mediumwhich can store instructions for use by or execution by a computer orother computing device including, but not limited to, a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable-read-onlymemory (EPROM) or flash memory, an optical disc such as a Compact Disc(CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or Blu-ray™ Disc, and a solid statestorage device (e.g., NAND flash or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)).

The various embodiments presented above are merely examples and are inno way meant to limit the scope of this disclosure. Variations of theinnovations described herein will be apparent to persons of ordinaryskill in the art, such variations being within the intended scope of thepresent application. In particular, features from one or more of theabove-described embodiments may be selected to create alternativeembodiments comprised of a sub-combination of features which may not beexplicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more ofthe above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to createalternative embodiments comprised of a combination of features which maynot be explicitly described above. Features suitable for suchcombinations and sub-combinations would be readily apparent to personsskilled in the art upon review of the present application as a whole.The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends tocover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.

1. A method for providing notification of a device drop on an electronicdevice having a processor coupled to a memory and an accelerometer, themethod comprising: receiving an input from the accelerometer; monitoringto detect one or more secondary indications of a device drop; andissuing an alert when the input indicates a freefall event and at leastone secondary indication of a device drop has been detected.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the secondary indication of a device drop isinactivity of the electronic device, the method comprising: issuing thealert when a freefall event and after a predetermined duration ofinactivity of the electronic device has elapsed.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the secondary indication of a device drop is impact of theelectronic device, the method comprising: issuing the alert when theinput indicates a freefall event and impact of the electronic devicewithin a predetermined duration of the freefall event.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the secondary indication of a device drop is whetherthe electronic device is out of a holster, the method comprisingdetermining whether the electronic device is out of a holster; whereinthe alert is issued when the input indicates a freefall event and theelectronic device is out of the holster.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the alert is issued when the electronic device is out of theholster and the input indicates freefall event within a predeterminedduration of the electronic device being out of the holster.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the secondary indication of a device drop isbased on images acquired by a digital camera of the electronic device,the method comprising: capturing a series of two or more images using adigital camera of the electronic device when the input indicates afreefall event; comparing the images in the series to determine a changein a reference value of the images; and determining whether thereference value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold;wherein the alert is issued when the input indicates the freefall eventand the reference value is greater than or equal to the predeterminedthreshold.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert comprises one orany combination of a visual, audio and physical indication.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising automatically performing a datasecurity action within a predetermined duration of the input indicatinga freefall event.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the issuing includessending an electronic communication to a designated address over awireless communication link, the electronic communication including amap of a location of the electronic device.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the electronic communication includes the location of theelectronic device.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:determining the location of the electronic device; and generating themap of the location of the electronic device using a mapping applicationon the electronic device.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprisinggenerating the electronic communication to include the map and locationof the electronic device.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the alertcomprises one or any combination of a visual, audio and physicalindication.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising automaticallyperforming a data security action within a predetermined duration of theinput indicating a freefall event.
 15. A portable electronic device,comprising: a controller; a memory coupled to the controller; anaccelerometer coupled to the controller for measuring acceleration; thecontroller being configured for receiving an input from theaccelerometer, monitoring to detect one or more secondary indications ofa device drop, and issuing an alert when the input indicates a freefallevent and at least one secondary indication of a device drop has beendetected.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the controller isconfigured to issue the alert when the input indicates a freefall eventand after a predetermined duration of inactivity of the electronicdevice has elapsed.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein the controlleris configured to issue the alert when the input indicates a freefallevent and the input indicates impact of the electronic device within apredetermined duration of the freefall event.
 18. The device of claim15, wherein the controller is configured to issue the alert when theinput indicates a freefall event and the electronic device is out of theholster.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the alert is issued whenthe electronic device is out of the holster and the input indicates afreefall event within a predetermined duration of the electronic devicebeing out of the holster.
 20. The device of claim 15, further comprisinga digital camera coupled to the controller, wherein the controller isfurther configured to capture a series of two or more images using thedigital camera when the input indicates a freefall event, compare theimages in the series to determine a change in a reference value of theimages, determine whether the reference value is greater than or equalto a predetermined threshold, and issue the alert when the inputindicates a freefall event and the reference value is greater than orequal to the predetermined threshold.